Aston Martin considering becoming F1 engine suppliers

Aston Martin are currently evaluating wether or not it would be viable for them to enter Formula 1 as an engine supplier.

After signing a sponsorship deal with Red Bull, the manufacturer is keeping a close eye on F1’s 2021 engine regulations.

Aston Martin’s CEO Andy Palmer states that a careful eye needs to be kept on costs for the considerations to become realistic.

“I’m sure we have the technical capability,” Palmer said to Motorsport.com.

“Some of the people I have recently recruited, coming in from Ferrari means I have the brainpower to be able to develop a Formula 1 engine.

“The question will be whether the cap on the expense of doing that is affordable to a company like Aston. That’s the big difference between a small company like Aston and the big boys like Renault or Mercedes Benz.

“The people I have recruited have associations with the F1 side in the past and also the roadside. So I have an interesting mixture now of technical capabilities.”

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner has said that the team would be “absolutely open” to using an Aston Martin engine if the carmaker decides to work toward the idea.

Palmer also added that the company will keep their options open to wether they partner up with an existing team to use their engine or go at it alone.

The FIA and FOM [Formula One Management] are due to meet up on Friday to discuss proposals made by various suppliers looking to enter F1.

On 7 November, a Strategy Meeting will also take place, where the matter will be discussed further.